After capturing photos and a short video of MAGGIE WAGNER, the vivacious actor who plays Mom in the short film MOM, I spoke with TRISH APPELLO, the festival Coordinator and Secretary of the non-profit LITV/Film Foundation, which, along with the Nassau County Film Commission, presents the Festival.

When Appello told me about the feature documentary Where Have You Been, Lou DiMaggio? – the last filmed being screened that last night of the festival – I decided to return after dinner to catch it.

“MARIAM’S DAY OFF”

That night I arrived in time to first watch Mariam’s Day Off, a foreign film by Director ARSHAK AMIRBEKYAN, who filmed it in Armenia.

“Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes….”

I found the placid-on-the-surface story about a young prostitute who ends up spending a day with an artist and his family at his art studio so emotionally compelling and poignant that it wasn’t until about half way into the short film (0:44:22 min) that I thought to myself, “Oh, it’s in black and white!”

The next and final screening was the documentary Where Have You Gone, Lou DiMaggio? – a feature film (75 min) directed byBRAD KUHLMAN about comedian LOU DiMAGGIO considering returning to comedy after being away from the stage for 20 years.

For more than one reason, I was glad Appello had enthusiastically recommended seeing, Where Have You Gone, Lou DiMaggio?

And Lou DiMaggio’s stand up comedy sets on his road to comeback were certainly memorable, and for wildly different reasons.

“We’d like to help you learn to help yourself….”

And what likely made the strongest impression on me in Where Have You Gone, Lou DiMaggio? was cautionary advice DiMaggio’s fellow comedian gave him about returning to stand up comedy – for it reminded me, in a way, of advice my late mom, a professional opera singer when she was single, gave her children and voice students:

The world has more outstanding singers than it can afford to support. And the difference between the best and next best in a major competition or audition can be imperceptible even to an expert – so luck will play a big part in the career each has. — When you’ve got to choose if you’ll pursue a living in the arts – follow that path only if you’re absolutely driven to AND you can handle the competition and pressure.

“We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files….”

For the Q&A, eight filmmakers associated with the films screened that night participated. After hearing the candid, detailed answers to the audience’s thought-provoking questions, I wished I’d arrived in time to watch all the films.

Watch the following video of comedian Lou DiMaggio at Q&A to find out these answers:

Why didn’t DiMaggio need a mic to answer the audience question?

What did DiMaggio find was the biggest obstacle, for himself, to making the movie?

Video Above: Lou DiMaggio answers Q&A question at LIIFE 2017.[The Q&A did not take place aboard a ship on stormy seas, despite appearances to contrary.]

“And here’s to you….”

The next night at the Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE celebrated its 20th Anniversary and 2017 winners, including the Best Documentary Feature: “Where Have You Gone Lou DiMaggio?”

Singers Robbie Rosen, from neighboring Merrick, and Sarah Barrios, each a mere three years older than LIIFE itself, sang solo and together. Their duet “Chains” – which they performed both that night and in the Musical Video that went on to win that category – was one of restrained raw emotion and distinctive, complimentary singing styles.

Bernhard Rammerstorfer, from Austria, accepted the Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Award for his documentary Taking the Stand, which he directed, produced and wrote to share the “Testimonies of Holocaust Survivors and Victims of Nazi Tyranny.” Before leaving the stage, Rammerstorfer gave LIIFE a bottle of Organic Austrian Plum Schnaps, which he cheerfully described at length.

Not coincidentally, the documentary My Friend Ed – a portrait of Asner the actor and activist, by director and producer Sharon K Baker and co-writers Baker and Daniel R. Collins – made its Long Island debut at LIIFE 2016.

Long Island’s own Angela Anton – the Publisher of Anton Community Newspapers, and a philanthropist and volunteer, including Board President of the Nassau County Museum of Art – received the Humanitarian Award.

LIIFE’s three surviving co-founders each spoke: Debra Markowitz, the Nassau County Film Commissioner; and Anne Stampfel and husband Henry Stampfel, co-owners of the historic Bellmore Movies where the Awards Ceremony was held.

LIIFE 2015 was held at historic Bellmore Movies. The 18th Annual Long Island International Film Expo, including screenings, panels, parties & more, spanned July 8-16, with Official Opening Night & Tech Awards on July 10th, and the Awards Ceremony on July 16th.

Actor Kevin Brown, Dot Com from the TV series 30 Rock, hosted the Awards Ceremony; presenters included actors Lukas Hassel(In Montauk) and Marilyn Chris (TV’s One Life to Live), and actor John Amos was an LIFTF Lifetime Creative Achievement Honoree for his work, including the groundbreaking miniseries Roots. Debra Markowitz, Nassau County Film Commissioner, was the Director of LIIFE 2015.

Henry Stampfel, owner of Bellmore Movie Theater, shared background about the theater, which was built in 1912 and is Long Island’s oldest operating theater — and has been part of my family’s entertainment life for over half a century.